Transfer Options
- Columbia College
- Purdue Global University
- Southern Arkansas University
- BS Criminal Justice
- BS Cyber Criminology
- University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
- BS Organizational Leadership
Program Description
Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech) offers a structured Criminal Justice program designed to support both current and aspiring law enforcement professionals. The program facilitates career advancement and provides a pathway for potential completion of a bachelor's degree.
Graduates of the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA) Basic Police Training will earn 11 college credit hours and be awarded a Certificate of Proficiency (CP) in Criminal Justice from SAU Tech. The 11 hours will be accepted toward the requirements for a Technical Certificate (TC) in Criminal Justice. In order to obtain the TC, students will be required to complete MATH1023-College Algebra or MATH 1063-Math Reasoning and ENGL1113-Composition I. The remaining six hours needed to complete the TC will be awarded to ALETA graduates through SAU Tech’s credit for prior learning (CPL) program.
In order for ALETA graduates to obtain the Associate of Science in Criminal Justice, students will be required to complete the remaining 26 General Education hours as identified in the AS degree. The 26 hours can also be accrued from an accredited institution of higher education. The remaining hours required to complete the AS degree will be awarded to ALETA graduates via CPL. The Law Enforcement Scholarship is available and covers tuition for the general education courses. All General Education courses are available online.
Law enforcement personnel who completed ALETA training between 1990 and 1996 may enroll in a 1-credit hour course called Portfolio Development to receive credit for prior learning for the 28 credit hours and qualify for the scholarship. Students who attended ALETA since 1997 but did not receive the Technical Certificate may present a copy of their ALETA certificate to receive the 28 hours credit through prior learning and qualify for the scholarship.
Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA) graduates who receive the Technical Certificate in Criminal Justice can continue their college education by completing the required hours through SAU Tech’s Associate of Science degree.
General Information
- Developmental coursework may be required in addition to the courses required for this degree and/or certificate(s).
- A [P] indicates that a prerequisite is required before the course can be taken. Refer to the prerequisites table listed below the degree plan or the course description in the College Catalog to determine the prerequisite.
General Requirements
- This degree requires successful completion of 60 credit hours.
- A minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average is required for graduation.
- Satisfaction of all financial obligations due to the college is required for graduation.
Residency Requirement
The student is required to complete a minimum of 15 semester hours in residence at SAU Tech for associate degrees and technical certificates and half of the credit hours required for certificates of proficiency as well as complete all other graduation requirements. Students who wish to pursue additional degrees must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of difference between the degrees.
ACTS Course Numbers
The Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS) contains information about the transferability of courses within Arkansas public colleges and universities. Students are guaranteed the transfer of applicable credits and equitable treatment in the application of credits for admissions and degree requirements.
Degree Plan
Semester I (12 hours)
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) credit can be awarded for these courses to graduates of ALETA’s Basic Police Training.
Semester II (16 hours)
Semester III (16 hours)
Choose three (3) hours from these courses:
Choose three (3) hours from these courses:
Semester IV (16 hours)
Choose three (3) hours from these courses:
Choose three (3) hours from these courses:
Total Credit Hours: 60